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  3. The EdUP project Kicks Off the Revival of the Concrete Worker Profession

EdUP Kicks Off the Revival of the Concrete Worker Profession

Ukraine
Upskilling and Reskilling
16.09.2024
The EdUP project hosted a discussion on developing a Concrete Worker Profession, crucial for Ukraine’s reconstruction. 

The event gathered principals of vocational education schools, industry representatives, and government officials to discuss the challenges facing the concrete worker profession and explore collaboration opportunities. 

During the roundtable the participants: 

  • Discussed key issues in the profession, including education, staffing, and technical challenges. 
  • Identified strategies to revitalize and promote the profession. 
  • Explored ways to improve collaboration between vocational schools, businesses, and government for better workforce training. 

The roundtable featured two panels: educational and business. 

Educational Panel 

Participants addressed the current state of the concrete worker profession and what vocational institutions need to introduce this profession. 

Tetiana Pron, Deputy Director of Kyiv Civil Construction College
"For institutions to open new professions, we need updated educational standards aligned with professional requirements. Thus, collaboration with business is essential to reviving this profession. "
Tetiana Pron, Deputy Director of Kyiv Civil Construction College

Educators highlighted the need for more internship opportunities and career pathways, which require business involvement. Training teachers to provide modern skills is also crucial. 

Business Panel 

Business leaders emphasized the industry's need for concrete workers, especially in civil construction, fortification and shelter building. 

 Georgii Kovalchuk, Head of Sales at Sika Ukraine
"The demand is high. To attract workers, we need to showcase the profession's appeal through guaranteed employment, benefits, and competitive wages. "
 Georgii Kovalchuk, Head of Sales at Sika Ukraine
  • The event highlighted the need for short-term courses aimed at adults. The Regional Center for Professional Education from Kharkiv partnered with the private construction company “Zhytlobud-1” to offer a 4-week course, detailing the skills needed for concrete workers.  This will enable the rapid preparation of specialists that meet the current labor market demands, ensuring a swift influx of qualified personnel into the construction industry. 

The discussion also covered the impact of new materials and technologies on workforce skills. 

Anastasia Belograd, Head of Technical Marketing at CRH 
"When developing the professional standard, it’s essential to consider skills that meet today’s challenges. Workers must be prepared for change: new materials, new technologies, and automation of production processes. Multitasking is also needed—one person should be able to perform several functions, increasing efficiency and adaptability in modern production "
 Anastasia Belograd, Head of Technical Marketing at CRH 

The dialogue between education and business continues, and this ongoing exchange of experience is key to the successful implementation of new professional directions, emphasized representatives from the Ministry of Education and Science and the private sector. 

Viktoria Spivak, Quality Director at Kovalska Industrial Construction Group
"Businesses and educators share a common goal: manufacturers need skilled workers, and vocational schools must train students to meet labor market demands. "
Viktoria Spivak, Quality Director at Kovalska Industrial Construction Group
Serhii Kovalenko, State Expert at the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine
"For vocational education to truly meet market needs, businesses must define the necessary job skills. Continuous communication between business and education is essential for quality vocational training that supports economic growth.  "
Serhii Kovalenko, State Expert at the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine

The roundtable allowed participants to identify key steps for developing the concrete worker profession, outlining both educational and business perspectives for its future. 

2020 - 2027
Ukraine
Initial vocational education and training
Public Private Partnership to Improved Professional Education in Ukraine
The EdUP project, including its Scale UP initiative, is playing a crucial role in addressing the serious challenges faced by Ukraine's vocational education and training (VET) sector during wartime. The war has destroyed many VET schools and exacerbated a skills shortage that affects several sectors, despite employers' willingness to offer competitive wages and resources. EdUP aims to rebuild and improve vocational schools and break stereotypes about vocational graduates. By decentralising training and aligning it with local economic needs, the project will improve the quality of vocational training, attract additional resources, work with the private sector, and modernise education to equip Ukraine's workforce for today's demands.  
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